Read: Numbers 13:25-33; 14:6-9 “Slug bug blue!” Zac exclaimed when he spied a blue Volkswagen. As he spoke, he slugged his brother Teague, who was sitting beside him. The boys were playing their favorite game on the way home from school—seeing who could spot a Volkswagen first and slug the other guy. They kept count…
Read: Psalm 133:1; Philippians 2:14-16; Colossians 3:23 George rubbed his stomach and John licked his lips as they entered the kitchen. “That sure was a good meal,” said George. “I love that chicken Mom makes.” John set his plate in the sink with a clang. “But look at all the dirty dishes,” he said. “The…
Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 Samantha sighed and slid in her earbuds. Sometimes being part of a blended family wasn’t easy. She now had three siblings instead of just one, and they were constantly arguing. “We always watch this game show on Mondays.” Tori stood in front of the TV with her hands on her hips….
Read: Matthew 21:12-13; John 11:35; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Dad?” Madison opened the door to her dad’s workshop. “My favorite girl! How was art class?” Dad asked. Madison ran to hug him. “The art part was good.” She paused as she bit her lip. “What part wasn’t?” Dad asked her, looking concerned. He took off his…
Read: Proverbs 15:13-17 “Guess what happened at Grandma and Grandpa’s,” Taylor said, giggling. She and her brother Elliot had just gotten home after spending the weekend with their grandparents. “Grandma had orange juice in a plastic pitcher, and when she picked it up—” Taylor could no longer talk because she was laughing too hard, so…
Read: Psalm 150 “What’s all the racket about?” Mom came out of her office and stood in the doorway of the living room. “You two have done nothing but fight and complain all afternoon.” Asher and Olivia glared at each other silently. “Praise the Lord!” Mom suddenly shouted. Asher and Olivia jumped in surprise. Mom…
Read: Romans 8:18, 28-31 Carson tried to stay out of the movers’ way as they carried furniture into the apartment, so he stood in the corner and frowned. “Why the long face?” asked one of the men who was helping. “I don’t like this apartment,” said Carson. “I miss having my own yard.” He didn’t…
Read: James 4:13-17; 1 Peter 4:7-11 Jade stretched and yawned. Then she jumped down from her place on the top bunk and hurried to get dressed. “Let’s go, troops!” yelled a cheery voice from outside. “We have many miles to cover on our morning hike.” “How can Ella be so cheerful at seven o’clock in…
Read: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 45:7; 1 Corinthians 10:10-12 “Hey, Amy! Don’t forget to get the wastebasket from my room,” said Greyson as he opened the door to go out. Amy scowled at him. “I hate taking out the trash.” She turned to her mother. “Greyson always gets the easy stuff to do while I have…
Read: Psalm 62:5-8 Natalie glanced at her phone. Twenty minutes. Twenty minutes to change and eat something before she had to leave for dance. Gotta move. She grabbed some mac and cheese and popped it into the microwave. As she bounded up the stairs, she passed her little brother Jacob sitting in time-out. Minutes later,…
